67
LEARNING TO BE A BETTER STUDENT
By: Dr. Helene D. Daya, RGC
Learning is a lifetime process which makes human beings superior to animal
people SaNTE UY SCM VSS bers a Rew SShaVGTS ond SSUMESS PRCES OPTS
information. Learning continuous throughout life. As a student, we face new situations
and problems every day and learn to deal with them. This chapter discusses theories and
concepts that explain the nature and dimensions of learning. Metacognition, learning
process, self-directed learning, and how to become a better student are also explored.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the chapter, you should be able to:
Explain learning and how it works in humans.
Determine the factors that affect the learning process.
Identify the stages of learning
Discuss the influence of metacognition and self-directed learning.
Choose and apply ways to be a better student
yawn
"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never
cease to grow”
Anthony J.1. D’Angelo
Learning
According to the behaviorists, /earning can be defined as the relatively permanent
change in rought about as a resuk et eaperenee oF Pacts Toning Yo earning 1s “a
process that leads to change, which occurSas a result of experience and increases the
potential for improved performance and future learning” (Ambrose et al, 2010, p.3).
The change in the learner may
happen at the level of knowledge, attitude
or behavior. As a result of learning, learners
come to see concepts, ideas, and/or the
world differently. Learning is not something
done to students, but rather something
students themselves do. It is the direct
result of how students interpret and
respond to their experiences.
‘Teenage gir studying
@alamy.com68
Learning a skill requires that you actively practice it. So, if you only read about
how to get better at learning skills, you are gaining knowledge. It’s when you apply it
that you improve the skill of learning skills. Learning keeps your mind engaged and body
active, It helps you get new and knowledge-based perspectives on the world around you.
It helps you gain new experiences, trains your brain to handle a wide range of challenges,
and keeps your neural pathways active. All these factors combine to keep you healthy,
How the Brain Works During Learning?
Learning changes the physical structure of the brain. These structural changes
alter the functional organization of the brain; in other words, learning organizes and
reorganizes the brain, Different parts of the brain may be ready to learn at different times.
Each and every time we learn something new our brain forms new connections and
neurons and makes existing neural pathways stronger or weaker. Neuroplasticity's the
ability of the brain to adapt to changes in_an individual's enyi Po rE TER
neural connections over time. It is sometimes referred to as “brain plasticity.”
Aspects of our brains are “plastic,”
meaning they are adaptive
altered Snvironmental and/or
structural changes. Changes associated with
learning occur mostly at the level of
connections between _neurons. New
connections form and the internal structure
of the existing synapses _change.
Neuroplasticity is at work throughout life and
explains how the human brain is able to
adapt, master new skills, store memories and
information and even recover after a
traumatic brain injury. Connections within
the brain are constantly becoming stronger or| Steeier death com
weaker, depending on what is being used. Younger people change easily; their brains are
very plastic. As we age change doesn't come as easily, the bran loses some ol
ee fasticity and we become more fixed in how we think, learn, and perceive.
Part of the Brain that is Responsible for Learning
The brainis an amazing three-pound organ that controls allfunctions of the body,
interprets information from the outside world. The cerebrum is most important in
learning since this is where higher-ordered functions like memory and reasoning occur.The cerebrum is the most highly developed
part of the human brain and is responsible
for thinking, perceiving, producing, and
understanding language. Most information
processing occurs in the cerebral cortex.
It is the large, outer part of the brain,
controls reading, thinking, learning, speech,
emotions and planned muscle movements
like walking. It also controls vision, hearing
and other senses. The cerebral cortex is
divided into four lobes that each have a
Specific function. These lobes include the
6
mannose \
“Amygdala inthe Human Brain
(theinfoscence blogspot.com
frontal lobes, parietal lobes, temporal lobes, and occipital lobes. The Aippocampusis a
SSRBTOT STN ECUCTS EMDCCeT deep ES tamporaTTSbE-Tehas a major role nearing
and memory. The amygdala helps to store memories of events and emotions so that an
individual may be SP eeagrne einer ee Re Tecognize similar events n the future
Factors that Affect the Learning Process
Students might have difficulty learning for a number of reasons. The following are
the factors that affect the learning process:
2. Motivation - Of all of the factors that can affect how people learn,
motivation might be the most important.
‘Someone who is motivated to
learn a partis k or bit of information generally succeeds, even if she
jas to work long and hard to do so.
b. Intellectual Ability - Intellectual ability also affects learning. For example,
some people have an easier time remembering information than others.
students can readily ul bstract concepts, whil
concrete examples. Everyone has different intellectual strengths and
weaknesses.
¢. Attention Spans - Attention spans vary among both children and adults.
Some people simply prefer to be on the go and have difficulty attending to
a lecture or task for any lenath of time. Since the most popular method of
teaching requires students to listen an fen while sitting Still,
student jes short attention span Miah
d. Prior Knowledge - & student could have the highest IQ in the room, but
if he hasn't been exposed to basic information that relates to the lesson, he
will have difficulty learning, For example, imagine that you were placed in
a chemistry class without having been taught the periodic table. You'd likely
not learn a thing, The same is true for a student who is being asked to solve70
algebraic equations but does not know his multiplication tables a scenario
that is all too common.
Four Stages of Learning
‘The idea is that learners are not aware of how little or much they know, They go
through the four stages listed below, depending on how much they know about a given
topic or skill. In the end, the learner will be able to use the knowledge or skill without
having to think about what they are doing, Abraham Masiow’s four (4) stages of,
gives us a valuable conceptual fame SOMES aS anything. It is
important to keep these stages in mind when developing learning because different
learners will be at different stages.
1. Unconscious Incompetence - In
this stage, the learner does not have a_| | veeentie aeaanesee
skill or knowledge setyet. They Conet | Foor aje\s COMPETENCE
SSS Taser SSeS T because they aes eee
do not consider it a need. You do not ies aa
know what you don't know. For
example, as a noticeably young child ae
you do not yet realize the usefulness | |) "esteem
of riding a bike.
2. Conscious Incompetence - By the
second stage the learner is aware of Four Sages of eaming
the skill that they Tack an fer mindwerscom
stand that there isa deficit. farner wants to learn because they are aware
oi
jar Tack OF knowledge and it makes them uneasy.
3. Conscious Competence This stage takes place when a learner has acquired
a skill but has not yet mastered it to the point what tomes aioe urally.
4. Unconscious Competence - You know the phrase, “It's like riding a bike.
You never forget how to do it.” The fourth stage of learning encompasse:
that: you know it so well you do not even realize you are domqt, The skill is
je Tearner does not even need to process what they are
doing.
Metacognition as the Key to Self-Directed Learning
Metacognition|is the ability to examine how you pr .
It was introduced as Saat oy Tor rel oy by TORT Fevel- C137) wo Ts typicaly seen asva
founding scholar of the field. This abill ages st ints to understand how they
learn best, It also helps them to develop self-awareness skills that become important asmn
they get older. People who have developed
metacognition are able to assess their
thought processes and reframe the way
they think to adapt to new situations,
Psychologist John Flavell identifies two
roy
components of metacognition:
metacognitive knowledge and
metacognitive regulation, Metacognitive
knowledge includes knowled. ‘ ‘Metacognitn: Thinking abou thinking
3 es neloe or hisscparcom
Cognitive tasks, and knowl “strategies to_complete_the cognitive tas!
REESCoGRTERS PaGTTEDOR TESTO NEWT aR TACT ROTORS a SORTS HE SPT facogmitive regula Wan individual monitors and controls his oi
cognitive
processes.
‘Some everyday examples of metacognition include:
= awareness that you have difficulty remembering people's names in social situations
= reminding yourself that you should try to remember the name of a person you just
met
= realizing that you know an answer to a question but simply can't recall it at the
moment
= realizing that you should review an article you read last week because you have
forgotten many of the key points
= realizing that there is something wrong with your solution to a problem
Self-directed learning describes itiatin
with or without the help of others, In diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning
Sacer nop od arial os ATT CNSOSMTT EET
appropriate learning. Ambrose, Bridges, DiPietro, Lovett, and Norman (2010) suggest
that “to become self-directed learners, students must learn to assess the demands of the
task, evaluate their own knowledge and skills, plan their approach, monitor their progress,
and adjust their strategies as needed” (p. 191), and decades of research has identified
these behaviors as predictors of academic success at all grade levels (e.g., Pintrich &
DeGroot, 1990; Young & Fry, 2012).
With increased learning demands at the college level, learning strategies that go
beyond memorization and passive knowledge acquisition are especially important
(Kitsantas, 2002). Many of our students, however, are underprepared for the
metacognitive demands of college (Cohen, 2012). This can be true of even our high-
ability students (Balduf, 2009), who may never have been sufficiently challenged to
prompt the development of metacognitive strategies, Even worse, students who continue
to use poor learning strategies often do so because they don’t have the metacognitive
skill to realize their mistakes (Kruger & Dunning, 1999); thus, “not only do they reachn
erroneous conclusions and make unfortunate choices, but their incompetence robs them
of the ability to realize it” (p, 1121),
Ways to Be a Better Student
Sometimes, studying is not enough to become excellent in school. Attitude towards
what you are doing affects your performance as well. Every student can do better or even
the best, if only they practice a helpful and healthy routine that would lead them towards
success.
1. Love what you're doing. When you choose a course in college, be sure that you
really want it, so you'll not regret it in the end.
2. Be positive. Always be optimistic at school, you may encounter circumstances
that would test your patience and capabilities. When you encounter problems, be
courageous to face and solve them.
3. Have self-esteem. Do not be shy to stand up and speak in front of a large class.
Be confident with yourself, do not hesitate to share your ideas and strive to be the
best version of yourself.
4. Pick good friends in school. Choose your friends at school, be with a group
who can help you be more responsible in your studies. Making friends with the
right people is another way to enjoy your study.
5. Do advance reading. If you are having a hard time with a particular subject, do
some reading, Also, read the topic that you think will be discussed in the following
days, so whenever it is discussed, you're already well-versed about it.
6. Be punctual and always show up. Your teachers will appreciate it when you
arrive early. It shows you are interested to learn from them, and that would also
make them be interested to teach you
7. Visit a library and read. Reading is the best way to educate yourself, and do
not just read, try to digest TT et time at
the library to study and make a research.
8. Make a To-Do-List. Be organized, that is one way to achieve success. List down
the activities that you need to do at home or even the other days to come. Your
to-do list will serve as your reminder and help you keep track of your progress.
9. Have self-discipline. Submitting your requirements on time is another form of
self-discipline. Being late is not a good attitude of a student. So get rid of all the
distractions, and do as much as you can to submit your requirements before
deadlines.
10. Take good care of your health. Health is wealth, and it’s true. So prioritize your
health, because if you are healthy, you can study well. Going to school requires a
lot of energy. Hence, be physically, emotionally, and mentally fit.
11, Never procrastinate, Everything that we rush fails most of the time, Hence, give
enough time for your assignments and projects. Study a week before your major
examinations, so you could have the chance to get a higher score.76
Setting Goals For Success
By: Asso. Prof. Alexandra Wanda L. Villon, RGC
“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy
and inspires your hopes.” —Andrew Carmegie
OBJECTIVES:
1. At the end of the chapter, students are able to identify the types of motivation
2. Students are able to do SMART goals for long term and short-term goals.
3. Students are able to appreciate and reflect on his/her future self.
INTRODUCTION
Do you ever feel like you are sleepwalking through life with no real idea of what you want?
Perhaps you know exactly what you want to achieve but have no idea how to get there.
That's where goal setting comes in. Goals are towards planning for the fut
play a fundamental role in the development of skills in waarcaeartiotanvek a
relationships and everything in between. They are the target at which we aim our proverbial arrow.
Understanding the importance of goals and the techniques involved in setting achievable goals
paves the way for success.
In the words of Pablo Picasso:
Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently
believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.
al setting is a power recognized in an abundance of
eee ical and feal-world settings for over 35 years. reece
‘Goals,’ as defined by Latham & Locke (2002, p.705) are “the object or aim of an action, for
example, to attain a specific standard of proficiency, usually within a specified time limit.” They are
the level of competence that we wish to achieve and create a useful lens through which we assess
our current performance.
Goal setting is the [e achieve these goals. The importance of the goal-setting
FT Ing TSTSRETO 1) "Every person's Ie depends on
the process of choosing goals to pursue; if you remain passive you are not going to thrive as a
human being”7
GOALS
(Go-Morilla.M4J. and Ramirez,.N.C,2018)
‘A goal is the object toward which the behavior is directed, usually within a specified period.
Within the contest of industiaVorganizatonal payehology, goal ie defined simply a what the
individuals consciously tying to do. For Edwin Locke and’ Gary Latham (2006), soals dest
attention, effort, and actions. Goals motivate people to develop strategies that will enable them to
SSrrarerttvation ifthe goal is not accomplished. Goals can Be ciassiied into two categories
short term goals ang long term goals. Generally, short-term goals are those that can
day, week, or a year while long-term goals are usually achieved over a year or more.
[ele Nom N)
WRITING ARE
DREAMS WITH
DEADLINES.”
~BRIAN TRACY78
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Panera success and gets stalled
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FACTORS WHICH MAY INFLUENCE GOALS
(Go-Monilla M.land Ramirez,,N.C,2018)
Need also activate and direct behavior. Motivation is usually aroused by a need for or lack of
something that may propel_a person to act. According to drive-reduction theory, humans are
motivated to satisfy needs to maintain homeostasis or internal equilibrium (Atkinson, Atkinson, Smith,
Bem, & Nolen-Hoeksema, 2000). Unmet needs will cause a state of bodily tension and, consequently,
homeostasis is disturbed. There are two classifications of needs: physiological and psychological
needs. Physiological needs are innate need of the body such as food, water, air, sleep, and sex.
GECO2: UNDERSTANDING THE SELF SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY79
Psychological needs arise from relationship with other people such as affiliation, achievement,
altruism, esteem, and status.
The theory of psychologist Abraham Maslow suggests how needs motivate behavior, Masiow
developed the theory of hierarchy of needs presented in the shape of & pyramid with te bologial
o physiological needs at the bottom and the need for seltactualzaton at the top. Once the
biologies! needs are satisfied, safety or security needs become important, such asthe need to be
tafe fvom danger illness, and threat Once these needs are met, inaiduale may be able to achieve
love and fulfill the need for belonging. Eventually, individuals can achieve self-esteem and realize
self-actualization. Sekresteer TrCudes eng accented, respected ang aed my omnes Self-
actualization refers tS-SERAIMMMENE CT achievement of one's potentalltes Arstudent may sesh”
GOAL-SETTING
(Go-Morilla M.Jand Ramirez,,N.C,2018)
In the context of industrial/ organizational (\/0) psychology, goal setting is the process of
improving work performance of individuals (Locke 7 Latham, 2006). For goal setting to be most
successful, goals should be SMART-specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.
SMART embodies the fundamental practices necessary for achieving increased motivation (Rubin,
2002). individuals perform at higher levels when asked to meet a goal that is concrete, achievable
and realistic, and important to them. Goals also work best when there is a time frame for their
completion (Aamodt, 2013). Locke and Latham (Lunenburg, 201 1) suggest that the most effective
performance results are attained when goals are specific and challenging, when there is feedback
on the results, when they are used to evaluate performance, and when they create commitment and
acceptance.
‘The Rules of Goal Setting
+ Set goals that motivate you. When you set your goals, it is important that they are personally
important to you.
+ Set SMART goals. Your goals must be clear and well defined so that you can measure the degree
of your success. Be sure that your goals are attainable and personally relevant to you. Your goals
must also have a time frame.
+ Write your goals. Make a chart and write a list of all the goals you want to achieve. Prioritize the
items on the list, discard those unimportant, and make space for all the important and urgent
activities you want to do such as studying your lessons.
* Develop an action plan for your future. Write the step to attain your life goals.
Start working toward your life goals.80
What Ex
ee
— your timeline?
te thie sol yer
La «0 BEE
SQeesmpiceh?
Giict nttins doadncisou
pag oceans
A goal withoet a plan 1s jest a wish. -81
‘TOWARDS AN OPTIMISTIC FUTURE
(Macayan,.V., et. al, 2019)
Understanding the self is not just about knowing and recognizing oneself as a product of different
life factors. The self, and its potentials and limits can be more thoroughly understood by using a
time-oriented lens which focuses on how the elf evolves from being the self of the past, of the
present, and the possible self in the future.
There is now a growing interest among scholars in studying the future-oriented aspect of the concept
of the self. Studying this primarily deals with the motivational and socio cognitive aspects of an
individual's conceptualization of who he or she is and who he or she can become in the future. This
time-oriented conceptualization of the self-importantly explains how individuals construe their sense
of self by using temporal perspectives in self interpretations, and the process that individuals use in
conceptualizing what one can possibly or potentially become.
Soren Kierkegaard once said, ‘life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”
What he meant in this quote is that an individual has the capability to plan for his or her future if he
or she is able to understand and retrospectively reflect on experience, past choices and decisions,
and past behaviors. Apart from the past, one also has a more direct control over present
circumstances; one may not be able to change what he or she has gone through in the past but he
or she can certainly do something in the present. Understanding the past and taking control of the
present can lead to an optimistic future.a5,
TAKING CHARGE OF ONE’S HEALTH
By: Asst. Prof. Michelle V. Ramirez, RGC
Life is a journey, it’s like a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs. But that’s what
makes life worth living. Facing each other's battles and turning our fear into faith. We are social
being, yes but we as a person is the most responsible person to take charge on our own health
be it mentally, physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually. We live with number of options,
taking into considerations what would be best not only to oneself but to others as well. Filling
ourselves with love, kindness and compassion for when we have all these we can freely share it,
to others,
Learr
1g Outcomes:
At the end of the discussion, students are expected to:
Define stress
Identify the different types of stress
Explain Dr. Selye’s Stress Theory
Understand the different stages of stress
Enumerate signs and symptoms of stress
Identify one’s type of personality relevant on managing stress
Lear ways on managing stress
Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health.
SS Carl Jung
Stress is inevitable in our lives. These life’s events could either help us to adjust to varied
circumstances or can cause harm depending on how we react on it. As we either “fight or flight”
‘on those aforementioned condition we sometimes unconsciously use strategies called as defense
mechanisms. Seemingly shield or armor to protect ourselves from any kind of threat or harm.
As the law states on how we can maintain high mental health, experts in the fields suggest
positive ways on how we can manage stress. This chapter defines stress and presents the factors
that cause stress. It gives emphasis on Hans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome and Richard
Lazarus Cognitive Theory of Stress.
‘STRESS DEFINED
Stress refers to events that are perceived as challenging, damaging or th 's
hysical or psycholog Seta WaT DaRg RSE SORE ai COTTE BUPSSSOTS oe well-being. These events are called as stressors end the way people
erases response (Nolen-Hoeksema, Fredrickson, Loftus &
Wagenaar,2009). Stress is experienced by all people but in different degrees, from mild to severe,
depending on how people interpret the situation. Everyday people encounter stressors: eustress
and distress. Eustress occurs when people experience positive sus but requires them to
adjust. Distress occurs when people experience negative events and make great deal of
ids on them.86
Date:
Activity 1. Answer this Stress Test, this is designed to help you recognize the symptoms of
stress and discover your stress level. Indicate your responses and discover your stress level.
Indicate your responses by checking the appropriate column that corresponds to your choice
using the following scale:
Rating Description ]
0 I never experience this symptom at all.
1 almost never (perhaps once a month) experience this symptom.
2 Tsometimes experience this symptom (more than once a month).
3 Toften experience this symptom (once a week).
4 I very often experience this (more than once a week).
Symptoms Very Fairly | Sometimes | Almost | Never
Often Often Never
4 3 2 1 o
1 Headache |
2. Stiffness in neck, shoulders,
arms, jaw, stomach, or legs
3._Coldness of feet or hands
4. Excessive perspiration
5,
6
Nausea or dizziness
Chest pain or increased
heartbeat
7.__Difficulty in breathing
8. Diarrhea or constipation |
9.
1
Allergies and rashes
0. Difficulty in falling or staying
asleep
IT. Loss of appetite
12. Absenteeism and tardiness
13. Moodiness, irritability or
anger
14. Worry, anxiety or
restlessness
15. Sadness or depression
‘Score Interpretation
12 of Lower Indicates a low degree of personal stress reactions
13 to 24 Reflects a moderate degree
Higher than 24 [Indicates that you are experiencing high degree of stress87
STRESSORS AND RESPONSES
From the book of Cicarelli and White in 2012, as cited by Ramirez and Monilla(2018),
according to Thomas Holmes and Ri
ard Rahe ~ aiuulis event. that-iecuires acople techangs,
ly to result in stress. There are factors that cause stress. It includes
major life events they are either classified as positive or life events depending on how a person
perceive
Activity 2. Identify your stressors (those that cause you stress, they could either be people,
situations, etc.
List at least 10, on the table presented below.
Physical ;
Stressors | S¥mptoms of reotiona Classify the
stress: a rose types of Stress Actions
determining the
Write potentially effects of Identity how | Wete iane What did you do
triggering you feel about to manage your
situations, a Re! | the source of | pares ane stress?
peopl etc. | ponte tings, | Sessand tS | seastve suess
situations?88
Signs and Symptoms of Stress
‘= General irritability, hyper excitation or depression
+ Pounding of the heart
‘+ Dryness of the throat and meuth
+ Impulsive bohavior
+ Tho overpowering trge to ery, to run end hide
+ Inabiltyto concontrato
+ Dezinese
‘+ Floating anwicty (unaware on real reasons of foar)
+ Trembling
+ Hgh-pitched, nervous laughtor
= Stuttering
Insomnia
Sweating
“The frequent need to urinate
Diarrhea
we Missed menstrual cycle
e Lass of appetite or compulsive eating
8 Increased ynoking
*
gS cho! anBifug addiction
J. 3 Sionigares
. hg =
‘Another factor that causes stress is frustration, especially when our dreams, plans or goals
in life are thwarted which keeps us unsatisfied. Conflict is another factor of stress.
Conflicts another factor of stress.
Conflict happens when a person needs to choose between two or many options. There
are four types of conflict:
1, Approach: lict when a person needs to choose between two options that are
2, Avoidance-avoidance conflict occurs when a person needs to choose between options that
she finds unpleasan89
3. Avoidance-avoidance conflict occurs when a person needs to choose between options that
é are more than two options
5, utile confit cars wh tere ‘occurs wh
To deal with frustrations, conflicts and stress, people sometimes use
sttategies called defense mechanisms to cope with the pain and deal with anxiety.
Forms of defense
mechanisms
Definition
Cite actions committed which
shows the defense
mechanisms and mention the
specific situations when these
actions are exhibited.
Beatnik Reaction
Done when the person
cats behaviors that stand
ey rom the norms of the
0%
responsibilities of a good
citizen
lacement
yressive reactions of a
rr
SaaS eer oying
things or harming another
person
When a person refuses to
a painful reality or
‘epatna the characteristics
‘of a person he ors
admires to deal with his or
ier insecurities
Intelletuaization
Aung negative emotions
y focusing on the
intellectual aspects of one's
life
Projection
‘Attributing one’s weaknesses
or shortcomings to someone
else
Rationalization
aust
Making up plausible
explanations or excuses
Spree ‘Up negative feelings
such as quilt
bikin to behave like a child
R ‘ Acting opposite. to. what the
a pan ravers oar Teverts to an earlier
Regression90
Pushing unacceptable
Repression uses OF
TOUS
‘THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND COGNITIVE FACTORS OF STRESS
Hans Selye (1907 — 1982)
+ Hans Selye discovered Stre: rome
n_ laboratory rats. In the modern world,
eee emcee) eeplanaien Trae
human behavior in industrial society. Selye's
discovery arose out of widespread interest in the
stability of bodily systems in 1930s' physiology:
however, his findings were rejected by physiologists
until the 1970s. This analysis is framed in terms of
= actor-network theories, and traces the
red
in from the animal laboratory into the
-
af Mo ggsn life experience
“ie &
STRESS CURVE & PHASES
(GENERAL ADAPTATION SYNDROME)
=— GOOD HEALTH BAD STRESS —>
RESISTANCE —e
7
‘Source: Stress Curve and Phases (General Adaptation Syndrome) Retrieved from
fabezuglyxadid.holidaaysananto last July 8, 2020,1
The Stress Curve and Phases shows that during the Alarm Stage our body sends signals.
t something isn't right, example welll be having a field trip in a related agency to a course- the
Sees seems to be exciting and a rewarding one but on the day of the trip we felt dizzy,
restless which are some of the physical signals-what's yours? Followed by the Resistance Stage
where our physical, psychological and emotional state find ways to fight back those signals to
50, we might fall into
condition, mental illness or even death.
The model Theory of Cognitive Appraisal was proposed by Lazarus and Folkman‘s in 1984
and it explained the mental processes which influence the stressors.
What is Cognitive Appraisal?
Lazarus stated that cognitive appraisal occurs when a person considers two major factors
that contribute in his response to stress, which are as follows:
1, The threatening tendency of the stress to the individual
2, The assessment of resources required to minimize, tolerate or eradicate the stressor and
the stress it produces
There are two types or stages: primary and secondary appraisal.
‘+ In the stage of primary appraisal, an individual tends to ask questions like, "What does
this stressor and/or situation mean? “how can it influence me?”
The typical answers are
1. This is not important
2. This is good
3. This is stressful
* Secondary appraisal compares to other stages actually happens simultaneously with
the primary appraisal. As a fact, there are times that secondary appraisal becomes the
cause of a primary appraisal. Secondary appraisals involve feelings related to dealing with
the stressor or the stress it produces.
Statements that shows positive secondary appraisal.
1. Tcan do it if I do my best
2. Iwill try whether my chances of success are high or not
3. If this way fails, I can always try another method
Statements that shows negative secondary appraisal
1. Tcan't do it T know T will fail
2. Twill not do it because no one believes I can
3. Twon't try it because my chances are low
Although primary and secondary appraisals are often a result of an encounter with a
stressor, stress doesn’t always happen with cognitive appraisal. For example, when a
person gets involved in a sudden disaster, such as the Taal Volcano eruption, where the
person doesn’t have more time to think.92
According to John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (2020) we can call ourselves
COPERS- copers are not passive and helpless, they look for ways to take control of their
lives
To be a coper means to have skills in:
+ Stress management
Develop a Battery of Coping Skills: 9 Ways to Manage Stress
‘Spend time in nature
Spend time with friends
‘Say your prayers
Practice yoga
Do your exercises
Manage time
Practice Art
Read books
. Think positive
Time management
Problem-solving
Decision-making
Life-style management
PRPNavawNE
Another way we can improve our coping mechanisms is to improve
or enhance our resilience. (include meaning of resilience) Let us all be reminded that RESILIENCE
is not something we are born with, but it is something that everyone can learn to develop.
According to the American Psychological Association, among those_most_contributing
factors to_resilience having caring and supportive rbot ce ove ad st thai
‘Including the capacity fo make and carry out realistic plas, Having a positive view of yourself;
being confident in your strengths and abilities, enhance one’s communication and problem-solving
skills and manage your strong impulses and feelings.
How can we build resilience?
1. Make connections
2. Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems
3. Accept that change is part of living
4, Move toward your goal
5. Take decisive actions
6. Look for opportunities for self-discovery
7. Nurture a positive view of yourself
8. Keep things in perspective
9, Maintain a hopeful outlook
10.Take care of yourself93
Research Findings on the Study of Stress
Fuse satya esi
Ub Oi
ial |
Fis ett sis fen afte
ashen!
oe eats
Current researches on the effects of stress
to students
+ * Stressors and stress responses of Filipino college
students
Article from Asia life sciences, July 2015
+ The study determined the stressors and stress responses
of Filipino college students in relation to sex, course and
academic classification,
The top five overall stressors of the respondents were
academic difficulty of the subject matter, workload due
to subjects time management because ofthe subjects,
fiesdue to be ing on one’s own, and time
@ Wr Peent because of bath subjects and
gigd@ations.
&
tee94
Causes, Effects of Stress and the Coping Mechanismof the
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Students in a
Philippine University
+ Generoso N. Mazo, (2015)
* Leyte Normal University
+ The causes, level of stress and coping vary.
Thesis writing/ research and school
requirements/projects were the most common
causes of stress. Sleepless nights and
irritable/moody feeling were the common effects
of styass. The use of computer and praying to
the common stress coping
es @
ce? @
Sources of Stress and Coping Strategies among Undergraduate
Medical Students Enrolled in @ Problem-Based Learning Curriculum
* Samira S. Bamuhair et.al
Journal of Biomedical Education, Volume 2015
Coping strategies that were often applied by
medical students were blaming oneself and being
self-critical, seeking advice and help from others,
and finding comfort in religion. Female students
stressed than males but they employ
@ eee: as va
"e-@
Jal ES “ie °
Coping with stress is the process by which a person consciously attempts to
master, minimize, or tolerate stressors and problems in life,95
Coping Mechanisms
Psychologists Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman
of cognitive and efforts, which are constantly changing, that aim to handle
icular demands, whether internal or external, that are viewed as taxing or demanding.
imply put, coping is an activity we do to seek and apply solutions to stressful situations
or problems that emerge because of our stressors, Actually, the term "coping" is more
associated with "reactive coping", because in general, we see coping as a response to a
stressor. On the other hand, there's also what we call "proactive coping", wherein the
Coping response is aimed at preventing a possible encounter with a future stressor.
Types of Coping Strategies
1. Problem-Focused Coping Strategies
Problem-focused coping centers around the source of your stress. so the first step is to
identify the probl
Carona rontative coping: Face it!
Seeking social support for instrumental reasons
Plan fullproblem solving
2. Emotion-focused coping strategies aim
the negative ar | situation has caused rather than
solving the problematic situation itself,
1 fen example oF behavioral emotional ‘example of behavioral emotional focused coping could be listening to music,
massage, meditation, getting physical exercise, going out with a friend, writing in a journal
or diary, taking a hot bath, expressing your emotions creatively (i.e. painting); humor
(jokes or funny movies) etc.
‘THE NEED FOR SELF-CARE AND COMPASSION
People who are high in self-compassion treat themselves with kindness, care and
understanding when they experience stressful events or situations. This entails self-
kindness when confronted with life difficulties rather than being angry. Self-compassion
hhas shown to reduce anxiety, stress, exhaustion and depression (Neff, 22012).
Stress is part of our everyday lives, but having a sense of self-awareness and
taining FEST STS ERENT ferent stress Maina hhniques could be of help for people to manage
its effect, especially the negative physiological, psychological and spiritual effect of life's
events.
STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (SMP)
Stress Management Program could be of help to students, family members, or people
at work, especially for the executives - this is designed precisely to help the exec
discern, diagnose, and understand his di stress, to develop his skills, and
&0 enlarge his perspectives towards the management of his own lifestyle orn
out of the scientific findings and empirical data on human personality development
gathered from numerous experiments and stress management seminars conducted by
Ms, Maraya Chebat and her colleagues. The more pioneering works were initiated by Dr.
Hans Selye (Austrian-Canadian endocrinologist of Hungarian origin, acknowledged as the
Father of the field of stress research, 1907-1982) of the Montreal's institute of96
Experimental Medicine and the Bioenergetics Approaches of Alexander Lowen (American
physician and psychotherapist, 1910-2008); CORE ENERGY in the Philippines, and the
faculty and students of the Ateneo University in Metro Manila.
Suggestions on how to manage stress and practice self-compassion
When you are stressed, find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed.
Pray or meditate,
Read spiritual materials such as the Bible, self-help books or magazines.
Be mindful of your thoughts and feelings.
Keep a diary or journal where you can write down and process your thoughts and feelings.
Develop good habits, eat the right kind of food, drink lots of water, sleep at least 8 hours
a day, exercise regularly and relax.
Additional best fit practices according to Dr. Adelaida C. Gines, a Registered Guidance
Counselor, Registered Psychologist and currently the Philippine Guidance and Counselors
‘Association (PGCA) National president.
Music and dance therapy (Listening to music and dancing therapy)
+ LAMBILOS therapy (Lambing, HapLOS, Biro)
+ Eight H’s therapy
HUGS on the air
HALIK on the air
Hil Hello greetings
HALAKHAK
HAPPY lang expression
HAPLOS
Giving HOPE
HUMOR
+ F's therapy
Sharing of food
Financial support
Family and friend support
Strong faith to the Lord
+ Language of Encouragement (process of focusing on person's strengths to build self-
confidence)
+ Art therapy
References
Fleron, Benjamin & Foster, Jessica (2017). Stress and Coping Mechanisms: Manage Your Stress
and Live a Happier Life 50Minutes.com, ISBN:2806289173.
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Health System Corporation (2020). Called
to Care Retrieved from Hopkins.medicine.org.
Lazarus and Folkman, Stress and Cognitive Appraisal Retrieved last July 8, 2020 from https://
explorable.com>stress-and-cognitive appraisal.